Hub for vehicle-wheels



(Model.) l

Y J.. AB..VB 1 \JFT.

y HUB FORVEHIULE WHEELS.

Patented Ju1y14, 1382 WI TJVESS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J OHN B. BLATT, OFREADING, PENNSYLVANIA.

HUB FOR VEHICLE-WHEELS.

SPFGTION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,644, dated July 4, 1882.

Application tile-d February 23, 1882. -(Model.) f

` tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture ofwooden hubs for vehicles.

Heretofore wooden hubs have been re-enforced by metallic bands arrangedin formed grooves on opposite sides of the spokes; also by wrapping wirein the formed grooves. These methods of re enforcing the hub areobjectionable for several reasons, among which may be stated, first, inthe shrinkage of the wood the metal bands or wire become loose, causingit to rattle, and, being loose, the hub is liable to split and be marredand the bands ily off and hecomelost; second, when the bands areforcedonto the hub by hydraulic pressure it often happens that the ber orgrain of the wood is crushed or broken, thus injuring -the hub, as wellas the strength and durability.

The objects of myimprovements are to overcome these difncnlties, andproduce a light and neat-iinished hub at the same cost, if not cheaper.

My invention therefore consists in the novel art or method of attachingre-enforcin g bauds to wooden hubs for vehicles, the saine consisting informing cylindrical grooves inv-the hub, then inserting or forcing bandsmade of suitable wood into the formed grooves, and thensecuring saidbands to the hubs, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

My invention further consists in a wooden band-blank for wooden hubs,with interlocking ends or their equivalents, as a new article ofmanufacture.

My invention further consists in a wooden hub having wooden re-enforcing bands let into formed grooves, as a new'article of manufacture.

My invention further `.consists inthe novel construction and arrangementof the parts, as 'will be hereinafter more fully set forth andspecifically claimed.

VJtive view, on a reduced scale, of the blank for a band, showing fullythe construction of the 6o same.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A represents one style or kind ofwooden hubs of the many kinds to which my improvements are applied. Inthe periphery of this hub, at .6 5V

proper distance apart, are formed two grooves,

B. during the process of turning the hub, or afterward, as best suited.These grooves, which are preferably rectangular, should be so arrangedthat their inner edges will come within the mortised or socket spaces oftheir respective spokes one-eighth (s) 0f an inch (more or less) of themortises or sockets for the spokes, for the purpose hereinafter stated.

The letter D (see Fig. 3) represents the 75 wooden band-blank, made ofhard hickory or other suitable wood, and of the desired length, width,and thickness. The material or stock for these bands is cut into stripsof the desired width and thickness, or a little greater, then thoroughlysteamed and bent, and, when dry and set, are cut to the proper lengthand width to lit tightly into the formed grooves of the hub. The ends ofthese band-blanks are preferablycut dovetailed, as shown, so as tointerlock and prevent drawing apart of the ends. After the band-blanksand the grooves in the hub are properly glued the hub and bandblankslare placed in a jointed or hinged iron case of the size of the hub, andby applying pressure to the iron case the bauds are pressedrmly into thegrooves of the hub, and when the bands are firmly set the iron case isopened and the hub, with its seated bands, removed. The hub may now hecentered in the lathe and thebands finished even or Hush with theperiphery of the hub. Other suitable means for pressing or forcing thebands into the grooves of the hub for union may be employed.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawroo ings it will be observedthat in mortising the sockets for the spokes a portion about oneeighth(g.) ofan inch of the inner edges of the bands in the direction of thelength of the hub is cut away, and that the shoulders of the spokes,when driven home,1est upon the bands and firmly hold them in theirplaces, making it impossible for the bands to become loose in the hub.When the hub is painted the bands are not noticeable.

The meeting or joining ends of the bands may abut or be halved; also,the grooves in the hub may be curved to receive semicircular, incross-section, bands; also, other fastening or securin g agents may beemployed with or without the glue or its equivalents. Therefore I wishit distinctly understood that I reserve the rightto vary theconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-- 1. The method of attaching rc-enforcing bands to wooden hubs forvehicles, which consists in forming cylindrical grooves in the hub, theninserting or forcing wooden bands into the formed grooves, and thensecuring the bands to the hub, substantially as described. 25

2. As a new article of manufacture, a wooden band-blank withinterlocking ends, substantially as described.

3. A wooden hub foravehicle, having re-enforcing wooden bands let intoformed grooves, 3o substantially as described.

4. A wooden hub for a vehicle, having re-enforcing wooden bands let intoformed grooves and partially inortised for the shoulders of the spokes,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. BLATT.

Witnesses:

HARRY S. BARI),Y LINCOLN A. RIFFERT.

